March 2026 Visa Bulletin: Where Opportunities Exist for Employment-Based Applicants

The March 2026 Visa Bulletin has been released by the U.S. Department of State, and this month presents several meaningful opportunities, particularly in employment-based categories. While long-term backlogs remain in certain areas, the current allocation landscape offers strategic openings for applicants who are prepared to act promptly.

Below is a focused breakdown of where opportunity exists in March 2026.

March 2026 Visa Bulletin Employment-Based Opportunities

1. EB-5 Set-Aside Categories Remain Current

One of the most significant developments continues to be the strength of the EB-5 reserved categories under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.

For March 2026:

This applies to all chargeability areas, including India and China.

For investors from countries experiencing employment-based backlogs, these reserved categories provide a pathway insulated from traditional retrogression pressures, at least under current demand levels.

For eligible investors, this remains one of the strongest immigrant visa opportunities available today.

2. EB-1: Strong Position for Most Countries

The EB-1 category (Priority Workers) remains current for most countries. For India and China, it is March 1, 2023.

While China and India are subject to cut-off dates, EB-1 continues to move more favorably than EB-2 and EB-3 for those countries.

This creates potential opportunities for:

Applicants currently in EB-2 India may benefit from evaluating whether EB-1 eligibility is viable, as processing timelines can differ significantly.

3. EB-2 Rest of World: Continued Forward Position

For countries other than India and China, EB-2 stands at October 15, 2024.

This reflects continued availability relative to prior years and allows many advanced degree professionals to move forward toward final green card approval. Applicants with priority dates earlier than this cut-off may now be eligible for final action processing.

4. EB-3 Stability

EB-3 remains:

While movement is moderate, stability in EB-3 provides predictability for many skilled workers and professionals. For some applicants, interfiling strategies between EB-2 and EB-3 may be worth reviewing based on priority date alignment.

5. F2A Continues Steady Progress

In the family-sponsored categories, F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) shows encouraging movement.

For most countries, the Final Action Date is February 1, 2024.

Compared to other family categories, F2A continues to demonstrate relatively stronger forward motion. Permanent residents sponsoring spouses and children may benefit from reviewing eligibility timelines closely.

Understanding Filing Windows

Each month, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services determines whether applicants filing for an Adjustment of Status must use:

In certain months, USCIS permits applicants to use the “Dates for Filing” chart, which may allow earlier submission of Adjustment of Status applications even if a visa number is not yet available for final approval. Applicants whose priority dates are approaching current should monitor USCIS guidance carefully to avoid missing a potential filing window.

Important Consideration: Retrogression Is Always Possible

The Visa Bulletin specifically notes that advancement early in the fiscal year does not eliminate the possibility of retrogression later. If visa demand increases or allocation thresholds are reached, cut-off dates may move backward in future months. For this reason, early strategic evaluation remains essential.

Strategic Takeaways for March 2026

The current Bulletin presents opportunities for:

Applicants whose priority dates are approaching eligibility should consider reviewing their case strategy now rather than waiting for potential future retrogression.

Planning Ahead

Visa number movement is dynamic and highly individualized. If your priority date is near current, or if you are evaluating upgrade strategies between employment-based categories, our office can provide a detailed case assessment tailored to your immigration goals. Timely planning can significantly impact overall processing timelines.

If your priority date is approaching eligibility or you are considering alternative strategies, we welcome you to contact our office for a tailored case review.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Immigration laws and requirements change frequently. Consult a qualified attorney for advice tailored to your circumstances.